Morning all,
I have just had a video consultation with my Rheumy. Thankfully all going well with ESR and CRP back to normal and joints much better. From10mg I have been tapering Prednisolone by .5mg every 5 weeks and am now down to 9mg. She would like me to reduce a little quicker if I feel I can and suggests I reduce by .5mg every 4 weeks. I have been using the 5 week tapering chart and wonder if any one has a 4 week chart.
Many thanks
What is it about doctors and tapering? Why on earth speed up as you get to lower doses? The difference between 4 and 5 weeks is negligible - I'd just keep on as you are. If it ain't broke - don't mess about with it!
What tapering scheme are you using?
Thank you for your help. It is a five week chart that I printed off from healthunlocked but I am not sure specifically where. I am sure I could work one out I am just being lazy!
Just found where I got the 5 week chart from. It was Dorset Lady. However she does not do a 4 week one.
Can be adapted - if really necessary - PM me if you want.
No that is fine. As you say I can start the new dose on the fifth week.
Just make sure you feel okay though - it’s all too easy to overstep the mark at lower doses.
Mine probably - but last week is all new dose - so you could shorten it -, but as PMRPRO says what’s in a week in the great scheme of things? Apart from being sure current dose is okay before reducing again - and not!
Just nod politely -and continue as you are.
Morning PMRpro
How true. There is absolutely no need to rush things when arriving /lowering to lower doses of prednisone.
Reducing too quickly most definitely doesn’t give the adrenal glands time to kick in.
A common cause of adrenal crisis is abrupt withdrawal of steroids. This is because secondary adrenocortical insufficiency develops when steroids given as therapy have suppressed the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
I have a lot of trouble from my adrenals and I’m eagerly awaiting to do the synacthen test after Easter. I’m now on 3mg.
YuliK 😷
You could try DSNS starting with 1 day new 4 days old ratio. But slow down if you are experiencing problems along the way.
Thank you. Maybe that is the way to go.
I'm using that chart, its excellent, but that last week on all lower dose does give you a chance to make sure the pmr is quiet. I have to contact the gp for the review so I just add a week, she doesnt notice.
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